article on latex
https://blog.onespotallergy.com/2011/02/allergic-to-latex-foods-and-products-to-avoid/
""Allergic To Latex? Foods And Products To Avoid
Published by
One Spot Allergy on February 21, 2011 |
4 Responses
Recently, I wanted to learn about latex allergy, so I turned to my incredible community of well informed people in my
Facebook allergy group. This is what I learned from them, led by Krystal Ahern of the
Latex Allergy Awareness Site.
Latex is the milky fluid derived from rubber trees, which is used to make latex products. The same protein is contained in certain foods, which causes cross-reactions in some people who have a latex allergy. Cross-reactive foods are tricky – You may be fine with a food one day, but react when you eat it the next time. Waiting days to repeat the same food seems to help reduce reactions, and it allows any symptoms to show themselves clearly. Here is a list of cross-reactive foods for people allergic to latex:
| Latex cross reactive foods: |
| Banana |
| Kiwi |
| Papaya |
| Grape |
| Avocado |
| Watermelon |
| Tomato |
| Potato |
| Celery |
| Chestnut |
| You may also consider testing: |
| Spinach |
| Broccoli |
| Apples |
| Squash family, pumpkin |
| Legumes, beans |
| Spices, mint, cinnamon |
| Mango |
I just found this information explaining the cross-reaction between latex and some foods: “Like bananas and chestnuts, avocados contain enzymes called chitinases that are associated with the latex-fruit allergy syndrome. There is strong evidence of the cross-reaction between latex and foods that naturally contain high amounts of chitinase enzymes. If you have a latex allergy, you may very likely be allergic to these foods as well. Processing the fruit with ethylene gas increases these enzymes; organic produce not treated with gas will have fewer allergy-causing compounds.”
Source:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5#nutritionalprofileAccessed 18 May 2011
I was surprised to learn that Kraft food handles all their food with latex gloves in the factory, which can deposit hidden latex on the food. More information on cross-reactivity of latex and food can be found
here on the American Latex Allergy Association site.
I knew that disposable gloves often contain latex as do balloons, which are a huge threat when they pop and the powder inside them becomes airborne, but I didn’t realize how many everyday items have latex in them. Items that often contain latex are:
| Disposable or dishwashing gloves | Balloons |
| Toys | Cuffs and waistbands on clothing, underwear, bras |
| Carpeting | Freezer bags |
| Cling wrap | Water bottles |
| Shoes | Socks |
| Chewing gum | Toothpaste, toothbrushes |
| Baby bottle nipples, pacifiers | Disposable diapers |
| Sanitary pads | Rubber bands |
| Erasers, pens, school supplies | Condoms & diaphragms |
| Swim goggles | Racquet handles |
| Bike & motorcycle hand grips | Medical supplies: blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, intravenous tubing, syringes, vial stoppers, electrode pads, surgical masks |
| Vaccines | Bandages |
| Dental dams | Stickers |
| Postage stamps | Computer mouse pads |
The American Latex Allergy Association maintains a list of latex-free suppliers of
medical products and
household products. For school supplies,
DiscountSchoolSupplies.com has over 300 products marked “latex free”."
Will post pictures tomorrow after I run a few more tests.
